Brussels, 18/07/2006 (Agence Europe) - On 17 July, Serbia presented its plan of action to the European Union explaining how it intends to improve its cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY). The plan, presented to the Troika of the EU by Serb Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica, contains a clear commitment to fully cooperate with the tribunal in The Hague, including the arrest of Ratko Mladic, one of the war criminals most sought after by the ICTY, Erkki Tuomioja, Finnish Foeign Minister, was pleased to tell the press. “I am pleased that this action plan contains an equivocal commitment on the part of the Serbian government to arrest Ratko Mladic and the other indictees” sought by The Hague, Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn said.
The plan presented by Belgrade mainly includes the appointment of a person responsible for coordinating the search for Mladic, the participation of Serbian security services, better cooperation with the ICTY and foreign intelligence services, and finally a vast media campaign to explain to the Serbian population that it is important to catch the general who is still on the run. “I am more than satisfied”, the Serbian prime minister said after the meeting, saying the plan of action allows “greater optimism about Serbia's next steps towards the EU”. Belgrade's objective is naturally to be able to rapidly resume talks for concluding a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with the EU. Talks have been broken off since May due to the lack of cooperation with the ICTY on Serbia's part.
For the EU, however, as it awaits deeds rather than words, the Serbian plan does not necessarily entail resumption of these talks. “Action is more important than the plan”, Mr Rehn said, repeating that “full cooperation with the ICTY, which should lead to the arrest of Ratko Mladic, is a necessary condition for resuming talks”. In order to resume negotiations, is the EU waiting for Belgrade to arrest the general or, as was the case for General Gotovina in Croatia, is it waiting for proof that Belgrade is doing everything it can to arrest him? According to a source in Brussels, the EU is mainly interested in Serbia being able to show proof of total cooperation with the ICTY or proof of its real inability to arrest the persons indicted, including General Mladic. Such proof is still lacking today.